Translator: Lynn
Sponsored chapter (2/8)
Cheng Ke opted for a bus ticket rather than a plane ticket for this trip. He made this choice because he wanted to bring Meow along, and he had concerns about flying, so the bus seemed like a more suitable option.
He also had a lingering desire to experience what it was like for Jiang Yuduo when he traveled by bus, to see and hear what he did. However, once he boarded the bus, he couldn’t help but regret it a little. It felt somewhat hypocritical.
The journey was long, the environment wasn’t particularly comfortable, and there was an occasional unpleasant smell. Even though he had purchased the most expensive ticket available, it didn’t improve the overall experience significantly. Fortunately, the driver allowed him to bring Meow’s small bag into the passenger area instead of stowing it in the trunk.
Once he settled into his seat, Cheng Ke plugged in his earphones and tilted his head to gaze out the window. Ironically, this action only intensified his longing for Jiang Yuduo.
Jiang Yuduo’s habit of looking out the window seemed to be etched into Cheng Ke’s memory. When he thought of Jiang Yuduo in various scenarios, there was always a window involved. While Cheng Ke sometimes glanced out the window due to boredom or to avoid unwanted interactions, Jiang Yuduo’s vigilance had become second nature.
Given this, the things they observed must have been different. Each time Jiang Yuduo looked out the window, he probably didn’t notice the various styles of signboards, the different trees and flowers, or the varying colors of sunlight on the buildings.
If Jiang Yu came back, after taking care of what needed to be done, perhaps Cheng Ke should take him out to see the world anew.
However, at the moment, Cheng Ke wasn’t in the mood to admire the scenery; his gaze was fixed on the windowpane.
Xu Ding likely suspected that the actual destinations of Cheng Ke’s investigation weren’t the places he had reported. Instead, he probably included some of Huihui’s suggestions about distinctive theme restaurants in the cities he claimed to visit.
Of course, this trip wasn’t about inspecting restaurants; Cheng Ke was going to investigate a mental hospital.
However, he had no idea about the extent to which his investigation would go or if it would lead to the desired outcome.
He had refrained from calling Sister Luo in advance because he feared she might try to dissuade him from leaving if she knew his plans.
Nonetheless, this time, he had taken considerable time to think it through and wasn’t acting impulsively.
Jiang Yuduo had been receiving treatment for a while now, from early spring to early summer. If he had cooperated well during this period, there was a chance that progress had been made. Meeting Jiang Yuduo might provide him with the motivation to continue cooperating effectively.
When Cheng Ke disembarked from the bus with Meow, he felt sore all over, his back was aching, and he sensed an unfamiliar odor on his body.
He hailed a taxi and went directly to the hotel where he had stayed with Jiang Yuduo during their previous visit. Unfortunately, he hadn’t booked the same room as last time.
This time, he had more luggage, given the warm weather, and he had even brought along a small collapsible cat cage packed inside a box.
Upon entering the room, a hotel staff member observed him placing the cat into the cage before leaving.
“I’m sorry about these past few days,” Cheng Ke said as he placed water and cat food into the cage. “Tomorrow, I’ll take you to see your San-ge. If you can see him… and if the doctor agrees, you can accompany him to the hospital.”
Meow had spent the entire day in the car, yet she didn’t appear overly excited. She merely nibbled on a few pieces of cat food and then settled down on the floor.
“If it doesn’t work out, you’ll have to come back with me,” Cheng Ke told her and gently stroked her fur.
Cheng Ke suddenly felt a sense of unease he hadn’t experienced in years. He was nervously anticipating the outcome while simultaneously fearing disappointment.
He had thought that a good night’s sleep might make him feel more composed, and indeed, he was relatively calm as he left the hotel with Meow in his arms. However, when he got into the taxi and provided Sister Luo’s address, his anxiety returned.
Upon arriving at the location, he called Sister Luo.
“Hello, Xiao Cheng,” Sister Luo answered.
“Hello, Ms. Luo,” Cheng Ke cleared his throat. “I’m passing through on a business trip. Do you have some time to meet up?”
“Ah!” Sister Luo sounded surprised. “Where are you?”
“I’m actually… nearby,” Cheng Ke suddenly felt a bit awkward. “Downstairs of your office.”
“Downstairs?” Sister Luo’s surprise grew. “Alright, I’ll be right down.”
Cheng Ke’s embarrassment reached its peak as Sister Luo emerged from the building.
Approaching thirty, or according to Jiang’s bizarre age calculation system, well into his thirties, Cheng Ke couldn’t believe he had acted impulsively like a teenager.
Despite claiming it was a business trip, the look in Sister Luo’s eyes as she saw the cat in his hands seemed to say, “Is this a cross-country chase for a husband?”
“I won’t ask you where Xiao Jiang is,” Cheng Ke smiled as he opened the map on his phone and slid it over to Sister Luo, the destination already set. “I plan to head straight there. My main concern is whether he’s in a suitable state to meet me. After all, it’s been several months. If he thinks I’ve given up on waiting and I don’t show up, he might be disappointed.”
Sister Luo gazed at him for a moment before replying softly, “He probably has those concerns. I asked if I should contact you, but he said no.”
Cheng Ke suddenly felt a pang of sympathy, a feeling he hadn’t experienced in a long time. During this waiting period, as his initial anxiety had gradually subsided, anything related to Jiang Yuduo had the power to transport him into a different state of mind. As time passed, this waiting became not just a trance, but a habitual part of his life.
Now, hearing about Jiang Yuduo from Sister Luo, this sensation of heartache paradoxically brought him a bit of joy.
It was a feeling of longing he shared with Jiang Yuduo, a fear of not being able to carry on, of being abandoned, and watching everything fade away.
At this moment, his reaction seemed to quell the anxiety he hadn’t even realized was there. He felt a deep sense of tranquility.
He stared at his fingers gripping the cup handle tightly. “So…”
“I think you should give it a try,” Sister Luo advised. “Talk to his doctor first and see what they think. Will seeing you help Xiao Jiang or is there a more suitable approach?”
“Thank you,” Cheng Ke said, pinching Meow’s ears. Perhaps due to his excitement, he hadn’t gauged his strength well, causing Meow to playfully pat his hand.
It was evident that Sister Luo cared deeply for Jiang Yuduo. Before Cheng Ke headed to the hospital, she made a phone call to Jiang Yuduo’s doctor, briefly outlining the situation.
“Just head straight there; Dr. Li is waiting for you,” Sister Luo informed him.
“Thank you, Mr. Luo,” Cheng Ke said, rising with an air of anxiety. “Then, uh, I…”
“Go on,” Sister Luo smiled. “I’ll get some coffee.”
Cheng Ke nodded and hurriedly left the cafe with Meow in his arms before he could say more to Sister Luo.
The taxi driver seemed to sense the situation and didn’t engage in conversation during the ride, respecting the mood of the patient’s family. Upon reaching the destination, he advised, “Have you been here before? Just head inside. Family members are listed on the left. You can go there for registration or whatever.”
“Thank you,” Cheng Ke replied, stepping out of the car with Meow.
Meow was exceptionally well-behaved today, aside from a playful pat earlier. It quietly pawed its paws, whether Cheng Ke was carrying it or holding it.
Jiang Yuduo’s doctor, Dr. Li, was in his fifties, an esteemed physician known for his expertise. Cheng Ke had seen his profile when researching the hospital.
After explaining the situation to the reception nurse, she directed Cheng Ke to wait in the adjacent hall.
The hall was equipped with several small tables and chairs, and a TV was broadcasting the news. Cheng Ke took a seat and glanced around.
There were a few people, both men and women, dressed in hospital-branded attire. A young boy appeared to be talking quietly at one of the tables. They all turned their heads to gaze at Cheng Ke with curiosity.
Cheng Ke offered a friendly smile to them, then redirected his attention to the corridor. For some reason, this sight made him slightly anxious.
These individuals were the patients, each inhabiting a unique world, some forever trapped in an alternate reality.
As Cheng Ke contemplated this, he suddenly had an intuitive realization—Jiang Yuduo was just like them.
Jiang Yuduo was a patient in this place.
Even though Jiang Yuduo had managed to appear relatively normal during most of his time with Cheng Ke, it was only because he concealed his pain with more pain.
Perhaps, ignorance might have been preferable.
Those who oscillated between two worlds might experience even greater despair.
When Dr. Li emerged from the corridor, Cheng Ke recognized him immediately. He stood up, his current nervousness causing him to forget that Meow was resting on his lap. Meow quickly clung to his clothing as he got up.
“Are you Cheng Ke?” Dr. Li approached with a smile and extended his hand.
“Yes,” Cheng Ke greeted him, shaking his hand. “Hello, Dr. Li. I hope I’m not inconveniencing you.”
“Please, have a seat,” Dr. Li gestured. “Let’s have a brief discussion first.”
“Sure.” Cheng Ke sat down and held Meow with both hands to steady himself, quelling the trembling from excitement and nerves.
“Xiao Luo filled me in on the situation,” Dr. Li began. “I believe that Jiang Yuduo meeting with you could have a positive impact. He’s eager to be discharged from the hospital, especially now. I hope he can maintain his emotional stability, so I plan to observe him for another week.”
“He can be discharged from the hospital?” Cheng Ke sat up, eager for confirmation.
“At present, he’s on a combination of medications. After several months, his condition has stabilized, but full recovery is unlikely,” Dr. Li explained. “However, I’m cautiously optimistic. His self-control and determination are quite strong.”
“Then, his current condition…” Cheng Ke inquired carefully.
“It’s promising, much better than when he first arrived here,” Dr. Li replied with a smile. “Of course, I can’t rule out the possibility that he’s putting on an act. This kid evaded us once before, but this time, he voluntarily agreed to cooperate with treatment. I believe his condition is genuinely stable.”
“That’s reassuring,” Cheng Ke sighed in relief. “Thank you.”
“I’ll go speak to him and bring him here,” Dr. Li said as he stood up. “Please wait a moment.”
“Of course.” Cheng Ke also rose and nodded.
After Dr. Li departed, Meow meowed, prompting Cheng Ke to lift it from his lap and place it on the table, gently tugging at its whiskers. “What should I do? I’m feeling a bit nervous. What if I get all jittery or even start crying later?”
Meow sat there, gazing at him.
“Probably not,” Cheng Ke reassured himself, “I think your third brother might start crying first. When I see him cry, I might not even get a chance to shed a tear. I’ll need to be the one comforting him.” Meow began to groom its paw.
“If things go well, he might get discharged before his birthday,” Cheng Ke checked his calendar on his phone. “But it’s going to be a while. Should I go back home first or stay here…”
Meow lowered its paw and stared at him with indifference.
Cheng Ke felt like he couldn’t stop talking. “I…”
“Meow~~~” A meow interrupted him.
Meow turned its head.
Cheng Ke suddenly snapped his head up. Even though it was a rather unrefined meow with a constricted throat, he recognized it immediately.
It was Jiang Yuduo.
Upon seeing Jiang Yuduo, Cheng Ke felt like he was frozen in place. The absence of a set return date had led him to become accustomed to numbness over time. He tried not to think too much or get his hopes up too high, leaving his thoughts suspended in various imaginations about Jiang Yuduo.
Even in the moments just before hearing Jiang Yuduo’s voice, he hadn’t really envisioned what their meeting would be like.
When he saw Jiang Yuduo’s smiling face, the world around him suddenly became clear and vivid, as if a TV with poor reception had suddenly found a signal. Even the hushed conversation of the boy nearby seemed amplified.
Colors became vibrant, sounds filled his ears, and the scent of earth and grass wafted in from the window.
“You…” Cheng Ke stared at Jiang Yuduo, and it took a while before he managed to say, “You’re not chubby anymore?”
“I noticed there’s a gym on the second floor and I go there every day,” Jiang Yuduo walked closer, his hand lightly touching the cat carrier. His gaze never left Cheng Ke’s face. “I…”
He didn’t finish the sentence. Just as Cheng Ke had guessed, tears welled up in Jiang Yuduo’s eyes, and they began to trickle down his face.
“I thought you were gone,” Jiang Yuduo furrowed his brows, struggling to control his tears, and he smiled, albeit with an effort. “Sister Luo told me to get in touch with you, but I didn’t dare. I was afraid you had already left…”
“I told you I wouldn’t leave,” Cheng Ke embraced him. “I promised I wouldn’t leave. Did Sister Luo tell you?”
“Yes,” Jiang Yuduo said, holding him tightly, burying his face in Cheng Ke’s shoulder, “But it’s been too long, and I was afraid that your words wouldn’t hold…”
“When did I ever stop talking?” Cheng Ke replied while rubbing his back firmly. This tactile sensation made him feel like a person who had been starving for two years and had been eating plain vegetables every day, finally indulging in a mouthful of savory braised pork.
Practical and satisfying.
“Why haven’t you lost weight?” Jiang Yuduo asked in a hushed, tearful voice, “Don’t you miss me?” His voice trembled slightly as he spoke.
“Why haven’t you lost weight?” Jiang Yuduo persisted.
“I’m following your lead every day. I have three meals a day, and I eat quite a lot,” Cheng Ke explained. “I usually eat at the restaurant. The food is so delicious that it’s impossible for me to lose weight.”
Jiang Yuduo didn’t say anything and, after a while, covered his neck while laughing, “You’re such an idiot.”
“You…” Cheng Ke chuckled.
Jiang Yuduo continued to laugh, and Cheng Ke joined in.
There was nothing particularly amusing, but the simple act of laughing felt wonderful. Cheng Ke laughed until he felt like crying, and then the laughter subsided.
Jiang Yuduo released his hold on Cheng Ke and studied his face carefully.
Cheng Ke noticed that the tears on Jiang Yuduo’s face had vanished, even the traces of tears were gone, probably wiped away on his shoulders.
“Wanna take a walk in the courtyard?” Jiang Yuduo asked softly.
“Yeah,” Cheng Ke nodded.
Jiang Yuduo picked up Meow and led him inside, through the doorway, and into the courtyard. “How do you find the scenery here?”
“It’s very serene,” Cheng Ke looked around. “I find it quite pleasant.”
Jiang Yuduo stole a glance at him, then turned his head away, seemingly a bit embarrassed. He slipped his hands into his pockets and strolled along the path with his head down.
Cheng Ke appeared to share the same sentiment. Perhaps because they hadn’t seen each other for so long, there was an awkwardness in the air as they walked together.
After a brief stroll, Jiang Yuduo settled down by the fountain, looked up at Cheng Ke, and said, “Give me a cigarette.”
“Okay,” Cheng Ke retrieved his cigarette case but hesitated, “You’re on medication. Can you smoke?”
“Yes, but Dr. Li has prescribed four cigarettes a day for me, and he’ll administer them daily,” Jiang Yuduo explained. “I’m done smoking for today.”
Cheng Ke chuckled. “So, are you sneaking a smoke now?”
“Yeah,” Jiang Yuduo also smiled, “hand one over.”
Cheng Ke handed him a cigarette and lit it for him.
Jiang Yuduo took a drag and exhaled a stream of smoke.
Cheng Ke observed him closely, beginning to recognize the familiar Jiang Yuduo, the narrowed eyes while smoking, and that characteristic third-brother arrogance.
However, there were subtle differences, almost imperceptible, something only Cheng Ke could feel.
That difference was relaxation.
Compared to before, Jiang Yuduo appeared much more at ease now. Without the point of reference, Cheng Ke might not have noticed that the previous Jiang Yuduo had always been a bit on edge.
“How did you know I was here?” Jiang Yuduo inquired, “Did you bribe Sister Luo?”
“No, she’s a loyal comrade,” Cheng Ke smiled. “I just had a hunch.”
“Just a hunch?”
“You’re that predictable,” Jiang Yuduo teased.
“It’s your predictability,” Cheng Ke retorted.
Jiang Yuduo squinted his eyes and laughed. After a while, he reached out and grabbed Cheng Ke’s clothes, pulling him closer, and looked up at him. “I’ve been thinking every day… will you leave? Ever.”
“If I said no, you wouldn’t know me very well,” Cheng Ke lowered his head, pinching Jiang Yuduo’s chin gently. “I still have some unfinished business.”
“What kind of business?” Jiang Yuduo inquired.
Cheng Ke glanced around to ensure no one was within earshot before whispering, “Fuck you.”
Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.
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